"Auld Lang Syne" is a
Scottish poem written by Robert Burns in 1788 and set to the
tune of a traditional folk song. It is well known in many
English-speaking countries and is often sung to celebrate the
start of the new year at the stroke of midnight at the start of
New Year's Day. The song's Scots title may be translated into
English literally as "old long since", or more idiomatically,
"long long ago" or "days gone by". As such, it is used as an
equivalent in Scots fairy tales to "Once upon a time..."